Lady Statesmen Lose Pod, Still Advance to Final Four
William Penn Women's Athletics
Oskaloosa–The William Penn softball team fought to the bitter end, but this weekend belonged to the underdog as Clarke won the Midwest Collegiate Conference First Round Pod Tournament. William Penn still advances to the Final Four as the highest non-winning seed.
The top-seeded Lady Statesmen (35-16) opened the day with a 7-2 win to eliminate #6 seed Ashford, but could not force an ‘if-necessary’ championship game in falling to #9 seed Clarke 3-2. The Crusaders (17-24) advance to next weekend’s Final Four with the automatic berth.
The home team was in danger of being the first team out, falling behind the Saints (10-22) 2-0 after the top of the third frame.
William Penn finally got the offense on track in the fifth with an impressive seven-run answer, including RBI singles by Brianne Rowley (Jr., Hood River, Ore., Blue Mountain CC), Brittany Labbe (So., Northridge, Calif., Chaminade HS), and Athena Rosario (Jr., Bremerton, Wash., Olympic CC).
The biggest hit was by Ashley Nieto (Jr., Cement City, Mich., Jackson CC), however, as she capped the scoring with a two-run single. Twelve Lady Statesmen batters stepped into the box in the fifth inning.
Jennifer Whitehead (Fr., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS) cruised from there to pick up her 21st win (21-8). The freshman allowed two runs (both earned) on seven hits, while striking out three. She is now just one ‘K’ shy of the century mark for the year.
Nieto paced all players with a 3-for-4 showing, including two RBIs and a run scored. The Lady Statesmen edged the Saints 8-7 in hits.
With momentum on their side, the Lady Statesmen were confident entering the championship round against Clarke. Unfortunately, Nicky Newhoff was in the opposing pitcher’s circle, and like she had done in three previous outings this spring (16 IP, 1.69 ERA, .143 OPP. BA), the senior once again stymied the navy and gold.
William Penn scored first as Nieto led off the opening frame with a single and was brought home three batters later on a single by Ashley Stream (Jr., Chariton, Chariton HS).
The Crusaders responded with three runs in the second, though, and never trailed again. Amber Daly (Jr., Napa, Calif., Solano CC) tossed a competitive game, but still fell to 13-7 on the season. The junior allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits. She collected one strikeout against one walk.
The Lady Statesmen produced some heroics in the seventh with a single by Nieto that scored Cassie Lohman (So., Burbank, Calif., Providence HS) to make it 3-2, but the junior was stranded to end the contest.
William Penn owned a 7-6 margin in hits, led by two base knocks from Nieto.
